The Founder of the Ark Foundation, Dr Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, has been crowned the ultimate winner of the Seventh Edition of MTN Heroes of Change, an award for philanthropists leading positive transformation in the country.   

The award followed her impactful advocacy and provision of support services for young girls, women and children who have suffered domestic and sexual violence for the past 25 years.

It also underscored the foundation, a Christian-based NGO’s effort to offer to vulnerable, distressed and abused persons, particularly women and children, compassionate care.

For her reward, Dr Dwamena-Aboagye walked home with GH¢100,000, in addition to GH¢45,000.00 for being part of the top 10 finalists. 

Other finalists and winners

Another finalist, Adangabey Yaw Rockson, a person living with deformity who started a private basic school at Talensi in the Upper East Region, offering education to more than 200 children, received a cheque for GH¢60,000 in the Education category.

Martha Opoku Agyemang, an advocate for care for children born with cerebral palsy won the Health category. She received a cheque for GH¢60,000.

Also, Sakina Mumuni, who is leading women in the conflict-prone Bawku to economic empowerment through peanut butter processing and a loan scheme, won the Economic Empowerment category. She also received a cash prize of GH¢60,000.00.

Other finalists who also received certificates of recognition and GH¢45,000 each were Reachel A. Adom, Gideon H. Ziege, Emma Sallah, Linda E. Donkor, Judith K. Azumah, and Valeria Adzo Adzatia.

Citi FM Foundation and Media General’s 3Foundation were adjudged Media Heroes and went home with GH¢30,000.00 each for their immense philanthropic gesture over the years, especially during last year’s Akosombo Dam spillage and tidal wave victims in the Volta Region.

Also, Buz Stop Boys, a sanitation advocacy and environmental sustainability group and James Annor Tetteh, a social media influencer, were adjudged Digital Heroes on the night.  

Appreciation

Dr Dwamena-Aboagye, who expressed gratitude to MTN Foundation for her recognition, described the award as an honour and a greater responsibility.

She highlighted the need for the government to invest in the vulnerable while urging persons leading transformative initiatives in their respective societies to never give up on their efforts.

Commendation

The Board Chairman of MTN Foundation, Franklin Manu, lauded the participants for their efforts in driving positive change in the country.

He added that this year’s edition was very competitive as participants came with very compelling issues.

Mr Manu said that the MTN Foundation received over 2,000 entries from citizens who are driving transformation in various sectors of the economy.

He said the Heroes of Change initiative aimed at sending a message to Ghanaians that they do not need to wait on the government to address their challenges, but rely on their brilliant ideas to drive the change in their respective communities.